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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






2. A reprise.






3. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






4. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






5. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






6. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






7. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






8. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






9. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






10. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






11. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






12. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






13. The principal note of a triad.






14. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






15. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






16. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






17. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






18. Suite of Baroque dances.






19. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






20. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






21. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






22. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






23. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






24. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






25. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






26. A separate section of a larger composition.






27. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






28. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






29. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






30. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






31. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






32. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






33. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






34. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






35. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






36. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






37. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






38. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






39. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






40. A group singing in unison.






41. A short or brief sonata.






42. Sliding between two notes.






43. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






44. A symbol indicating to play loud.






45. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






46. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






47. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






48. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






49. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






50. The movement of chords in succession.